Is he not?" "No, he is not here, or anywhere
else in this country. Since my lady was taken away, we have had
no news of him." Then for the first time my lord Gawain realised
that the letter had been forged, and that they had been betrayed
and deceived: by the letter they had been misled. Then they all
begin to lament, and they come thus weeping to the court, where
the King at once asks for information about the affair. There
were plenty who could tell him how much Lancelot had done, how
the Queen and all the captives were delivered from durance by
him, and by what treachery the dwarf had stolen him and drawn him
away from them. This news is not pleasing to the King, and he is
very sorry and full of grief; but his heart is so lightened by
the pleasure he takes in the Queen's return, that his grief
concludes in joy. When he has what he most desires, he cares
little for the rest.
(Vv. 5379-5514.) While the Queen was out of the country, I
believe, the ladies and the damsels who were disconsolate,
decided among themselves that they would marry, soon, and they
organised a contest and a tournament. The lady of Noauz was
patroness of it, with the lady of Pomelegloi. They will have
nothing to do with those who fare ill, but they assert that they
will accept those who comport themselves well in the tournament.
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